In recent years, a shift in focus has seen researchers seek to identify the priorities and preferences of key stakeholders to shape the direction of future research for those on the autism spectrum. ...The process of synthesising the views, knowledge and expertise of key stakeholders with either a lived or shared experience of autism is invaluable and can inform future research to ensure that it is meaningful and has the greatest impact. A number of studies have reported on the research priorities of groups within the autism community, but to date, these studies stand alone and priorities have not been considered collectively. This systematic review identified seven studies that reported on key stakeholders’ priorities for autism research. Studies were synthesised according to (a) the target participant group and method of recruitment, (b) the methodology used to elucidate the viewpoint of stakeholders, (c) the country of stakeholders and (d) commonly identified priorities. Common features across studies note the importance of prioritising initiatives that will result in real-world changes in the lives of the autism community and more research across the lifespan. There is an identified need for more diverse stakeholder voices to influence the identification of priorities for future research foci. Continued inclusion of the autistic and autism communities in priority-setting research is imperative for achieving significant outcomes in autism research and to progress the field in an effective and socio-ethical way.
Lay abstract
It has become very important in autism research to ask the autistic community about what kinds of research they think should be done in order to improve the lives of people with autism. Many studies have reported on research goals from people within the autism community, such as parents of people on the autism spectrum, and practitioners and clinicians who support people on the autism spectrum. So far, the research goals from all of these studies have not been considered together, which is important so that all autism research can be working towards the same goals. We reviewed seven studies that looked at the priorities for autism research from key people within the autism community. Each of the reviewed studies are described according to (a) the types of people involved in the study, (b) the way the research goals from each group of people were identified, (c) the country where they were from and (d) the most common research goals from across all of the studies. Within these seven studies, research that will lead to real-world changes in the daily lives of the autism community and a greater focus on skill training for people with autism across their lives were found to be very important. From this review, we found that it is also very important to include a range of different people from the autism community when deciding what autism research goals should be focused on so that future research can be more helpful for the autism community.
Mindfulness practices form the core of numerous therapeutic programs and interventions for stress reduction and the treatment of different health conditions related to stress and life habits. Ways ...and means to regulate oneself effectively also form the foundation of the path of yoga in the accomplishment of holistic health and well-being. The
(S-ART) model can be considered as an overarching neurobiological framework to explain the self-regulatory mechanisms of well-being present in mindfulness-based practices. The current study, by connecting and applying the S-ART framework to the self-regulatory mechanisms in yoga and generating related hypotheses, provides a theory-led explanation of the action of yoga practices, which is sparse in the literature. Testing the S-ART model in yoga in two culturally diverse samples, assessing the model-mapped psychological mechanisms of action, and exploring the influence of perseverance in yoga practice are the original contributions of this study. The study sample comprised 362 yoga practitioners and non-practitioners (197 Indian and 165 Spanish), who completed four tests of psychological variables indicative of the aforementioned three S-ART abilities. These tests were Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), Experiences Questionnaire-Decentering (EQ-D) subscale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and Relational Compassion Scale (RCS). The results indicated significantly better s
and
abilities in yoga practitioners (Indian and Spanish in a combination) than non-practitioners, reflected in higher levels of interoceptive awareness and decentering abilities. Moreover, perseverance in yoga practice acted as a significant predictor of
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in practitioners. An analysis of each cultural sample revealed some differences. Yoga practice and perseverance in it acted as a significant predictor of interoceptive awareness and decentering in Indian practitioners having more than 1 year of sustained yoga practice, but for the Spanish participants, physical exercise and frequency of yoga practice acted as better predictors of interoceptive awareness and decentering in comparison to yoga practice and perseverance in it. The obtained results suggested that the S-ART model provided preliminary but promising evidence for the self-regulatory mechanisms of action in yoga practice within a culturally diverse sample of yoga practitioners. This study also widens the scope of generating further hypotheses using the S-ART theoretical framework for testing the self-regulatory mechanisms of action in yoga practice.
Background and aims
Guidelines regarding social cognitive interventions for autistic children suggest incorporating a holistic approach. This includes increasing the family’s understanding of ...difficulties associated with autism, integrations of natural environments, and parents as active agents in the intervention while being supported for their well-being. The current availability of holistic parent-implemented interventions for autistic children is limited, with no qualitative understanding of how parents view the benefits for themselves or their children.
Method
The current study expands the literature regarding holistic approaches through a qualitative understanding of parent perceptions of a parent-implemented social communication intervention for autistic children (TalkAbility™), which incorporates a 6-month follow-up. This study sought to gain a deeper understanding from parents on their perceptions of a holistic approach, including the impact on themselves, their families, and their autistic child.
Results
Following Braun and Clarke’s model of thematic analysis, data was coded into four themes: (a) communication difficulties, frustrations, and progress, (b) social relationships and concerns, (c) communication strategies, and (d) thoughts and emotions surrounding TalkAbility™.
Conclusions
Parents report that many components of a holistic approach are instrumental in encouraging social communication in their autistic child. Results highlight the importance of considering parent experiences regarding interventions for their child’s social communication skills through a qualitative viewpoint.
Implications
Knowing the intervention aspects that parents view as most valuable allows targeted program modifications that reflect actual parent needs. Further understanding regarding the influence of holistic parent-implemented social communication interventions on child communication skills, parenting frustrations, and parent–child relationships is needed.
Purpose of Review
Substantial research exists focusing on the various aspects and domains of early human development. However, there is a clear blind spot in early postnatal development when dealing ...with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially those that manifest themselves clinically only in late infancy or even in childhood.
Recent Findings
This early developmental period may represent an important timeframe to study these disorders but has historically received far less research attention. We believe that only a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach will enable us to detect and delineate specific parameters for specific neurodevelopmental disorders at a very early age to improve early detection/diagnosis, enable prospective studies and eventually facilitate randomised trials of early intervention.
Summary
In this article, we propose a dynamic framework for characterising neurofunctional biomarkers associated with specific disorders in the development of infants and children. We have named this automated detection ‘Fingerprint Model’, suggesting one possible approach to accurately and early identify neurodevelopmental disorders.
Abstract Objective To examine the efficacy of an integrative yoga programme as adjuvant treatment of essential arterial hypertension. Methods An Integrative yoga programme was conducted during three ...months in 26 sessions with a group of ten essential arterial hypertension patients at a public health centre. The same number of patients acted as the control group without treatment. The patients were randomly selected and assigned to the groups. All patients filled in the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Smith Relaxation States Inventory 3 (SRSI3) before and after the treatment. Results A statistically significant reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, negative affect, symptoms of anxiety and degree of stress could be observed in the study group. Conclusions These positive and promising results confirm the effectiveness of these techniques in the treatment of essential arterial hypertension and suggest possible further investigations.
•The aim is to study the effect of yoga on essential arterial hypertension and on related emotional symptomatology.•Three yoga interventions (Meditation, Pranayama and Yoga) were conducted with ...essential arterial hypertension patients.•Significant correlations between mindfulness increase and emotional symptomatology improvement were found.•Improvements in mindfulness and reductions of emotional symptomatology were observed in all treatment groups.•Clinically significant reductions of systolic blood pressure were shown in the HT Meditation intervention group.
IntroductionPhysical activity declines during adolescence, with the lowest levels of activity observed among those with disability. Schools are ideal settings to address this issue; however, few ...school-based interventions have been specifically designed for older adolescents with disability. Our aim is to investigate the effects of a school-based physical activity programme, involving high-intensity interval training (HIIT), on physical, mental and cognitive health in older adolescents with disability.Methods and analysisWe will evaluate the Burn 2 Learn adapted (B2La) intervention using a two-arm, parallel group, cluster randomised controlled trial with allocation occurring at the school level (treatment or waitlist control). Secondary schools will be recruited in two cohorts from New South Wales, Australia. We will aim to recruit 300 older adolescents (aged 15–19 years) with disability from 30 secondary schools (10 in cohort 1 and 20 in cohort 2). Schools allocated to the intervention group will deliver two HIIT sessions per week during scheduled specialist support classes. The sessions will include foundational aerobic and muscle strengthening exercises tailored to meet student needs. We will provide teachers with training, resources, and support to facilitate the delivery of the B2La programme. Study outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 6 months (primary endpoint), and 9 months. Our primary outcome is functional capacity assessed using the 6 min walk/push test. Secondary outcomes include physical activity, muscular fitness, body composition, cognitive function, quality of life, physical literacy, and on-task behaviour in the classroom. We will also conduct economic and process evaluations to determine cost-effectiveness, programme acceptability, implementation, adaptability, and sustainability in schools.Ethics and disseminationThis study has received approval from the University of Newcastle (H-2021–0262) and the New South Wales Department of Education (SERAP: 2021257) human research ethics committees. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals, and key stakeholders will be provided with a detailed report following the study.Trial registration numberAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Number: ACTRN12621000884808.
Abstract Objective To analyze the effect of the 'Exercise Without Movement' (E.W.M) yoga method on mindfulness and on the improvement of anxiety and depression symptoms. Methods A quasi-experimental ...study examined the effect of one month E.W.M. intervention among 38 participants who were enrolled voluntarily to both groups, study (n = 16) and control (n = 22). Five participants dropped out during the study. The State Mindfulness Scale (SMS) was used to measure mindfulness. The Anxiety Inventory Beck (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) were used to measure the anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively, before and after the intervention. Results Study group showed both a statistically significant increase in mindfulness and decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms, compared with the control group. Conclusions The E.W.M. has been useful in the development of mindfulness and in the treatment of anxiety and depression symptoms and may represent a new method in the mindfulness-based therapeutic application.
According to the ancient yogic texts, the origin of suffering is the ignorance of the true nature of things (avidya). The yogasutras of Patanjali posit that the main objective of yoga is to cease the ...origin of suffering by a process of involution called pratiprasava, through the development of awareness and consciousness. From a psychotherapeutic point of view, the cessation of suffering could be explained as the result of a process of self-regulation based on the development of self-awareness. It proposes that yoga practice promotes an embodiment process, providing the integration of the organism's systemic unit: brain, body, and environment. This integration process could be the central mechanism of affective self-regulation.
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